What you need to know about Virginia's new laws now in effect

State of play: Here are some of the ones most likely to affect you.

Employment and work

🤑 Employers must now include salary ranges in job postings — and it's illegal for them to ask applicants about their salary history.

💸 Virginians' maximum unemployment benefits are now $478 a week, up from $430. Minimum benefits also rise to $160, up from $112.

• Caveat: The increased amounts only apply to new claims filed on or after July 5, per the Virginia Employment Commission.

🚫 Noncompete agreements can't be enforced unless employees laid off without cause are given severance pay.

• Health care workers can't be subject to noncompetes at all.

🏦 The first $1,000 in a person's bank account is now automatically protected from wage garnishment.

• Child and spousal support payments are exempt from the new law.

Rent and housing

✍🏻 Landlords have to accept checks and money orders for rent and deposit payments, in addition to online methods.

📆 Landlords have to wait 14 days to start the eviction process for nonpayment, up from five.

Cars and driving

🚙 Car insurers can no longer solely use credit scores to set insurance rates or deny coverage.

📵 It's now illegal to livestream and drive.

🚘 New drivers ages 18-21 must have their learner's permit for at least 90 days (up from 60) to get their driver's license.

🏎️ Instead of a license suspension, some drivers convicted of going 100 mph or more over the speed limit will be required to install an Intelligent Speed Assistance device that limits their speed.

• The legislation was passed in 2025, but the law takes effect this year.

🛑 Localities can now use automated monitoring systems like the ones they use for speeding to enforce stop sign and crosswalk violations.

Criminal justice

⚖️ Some misdemeanor convictions, like marijuana possession or disorderly conduct, will be automatically sealed from public view, and people with minor felony convictions can petition the court to have theirs sealed.

👨🏻‍💻 Online harassment via email and social media is now considered cyberstalking and punishable as a misdemeanor for the first offense, a felony for the second within five years.

Food and drink

🍴 Styrofoam containers are now illegal for all food vendors and restaurants to use.

• Last year, only large chains had to stop using Styrofoam.

🥡 Delivery and carryout food must now say on the packaging if the dish was modified for a food allergy or sensitivity, like gluten-free or no dairy.

🍸 The state's food-to-liquor sales ratio, which dictates how much food a restaurant must sell to have a liquor license, is changing to a tiered structure based on a restaurant's size.

Health

💊 Health insurers have to cover FDA-approved birth control.

What we're watching: A federal judge Tuesday temporarily blocked Virginia from enforcing its new law against federal law enforcement officers.

• The law, which the Justice Department is challenging, generally bans officers from wearing masks and face coverings while on duty.

There are also two gun laws — a ban on buying and selling assault weapons and separate legislation prohibiting their open carry — that were initially set to take effect July 1.

• The open carry law is now delayed until next year after lawmakers said it contained an unintended loophole.
• Meanwhile, the buying ban is facing legal challenges. A judge this week granted an injunction that halts enforcement of the sales law in some localities, including Chesterfield.

Go deeper: Where Virginia's assault weapons ban stands on July 1